Ray Smith 
The Real Jazz Pedagogy Book 
How to Build a Superior Jazz Ensemble

Written by a jazz teacher for jazz teachers, ‘The Real Jazz Pedagogy Book’ is based on the premise that successful jazz teachers must be constantly working four main areas: 1) the wind instruments-including tone production, intonation, and section playing skills; 2) playing styles correctly-such as rhythmic and time feel approach, articulation approach, and phrasing; 3) the rhythm section-playing the instruments, time feel and concept, coordination of comping, harmonic voicings, drum fills and setups, stylistic differences; and 4) the soloists-developing improvisational skills (both right brain and left brain), jazz theory, the ballad soloist, and the vocal soloist. Ray Smith, who has taught and directed jazz ensembles, including the acclaimed Brigham Young University group, Synthesis, and given private lessons for over forty years, also discusses the details of running school programs. Smith’s You Tube channel complements ‘The Real Jazz Pedagogy Book.’

About the author

Dr. Ray Smith is the educator’s educator. He is a master pedagogue and is respected as such by all of his peers. When he does clinics for educators, they flock to find out what they can learn. This book represents teaching ideas from over forty years of directing jazz bands. The proof is in the pudding as they say, and Smith’s BYU big band, Synthesis, has literally toured the world performing (Western Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, Baltic States, Japan, China, Brazil, Carribean, etc.) and is recognized as one of the top collegiate bands in the world (Downbeat Student Music Awards, IAJE and JEN recognition, and winner of many jazz festivals both at home and internationally). Dr. Smith’s teaching is informed by his world class performance skills, and his performing credits are equally impressive as his teaching credits including much recording for major motion pictures and network televison and well over 200 music CDs. In 1998, he was given the Voice of Jazz Award for the State of Utah; and in 2008, he was recognized by the International Association for Jazz Education as the first Utah Jazz Master, a lifetime achievement award ‘for profound contributions and virtuoso performance in the field of jazz in Utah.’